Tano Polling-Station Agent Training Guide: What to Do on Election Day
A practical guide for campaign polling agents. What to verify, when to object, how to read forms, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Your core role: protect your candidate's interest
A polling-station agent protects their candidate's interest by observing, verifying, and raising issues through proper channels. The Presiding Officer manages the polling station and their procedural decisions are final—agents observe and object, they do not overrule officials.
If you disagree with the Presiding Officer, state your objection clearly and have it recorded. Do not argue, disrupt, or attempt to overrule. Escalate to your constituency coordinator if the objection is not addressed.
What to verify and receive at close of polling
At the close of polling, verify that you receive the following materials:
| Material | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sealed ballot boxes | Ensures no tampering after polling closes |
| Filled Polling Station Diary | Official record of the day's events |
| ORIGINAL results declaration forms | 34A/35A/36 as applicable; your evidence |
| KIEMS kit and its components | Technology used for voter identification and results transmission |
| Marked printed voter register | Shows who actually voted |
| KIEMS supervisor validation form | Confirms KIEMS functioned correctly |
Do not leave without signed copies of the relevant results forms (34A for president, 35A for MP, 36 for MCA, etc.). A signed copy is your evidence if a dispute arises.
During counting: what to watch for
Confirm that counting procedures are followed. Observe the count. Object and flag issues during the count, not after. Understand the three ballot categories: counted/undisputed, disputed, and "rejected—objected to."
For specifics on what each form records, refer to the glossary articles: "IEBC Forms 34A, 34B, and 34C" for presidential results and "IEBC Forms 35A, 35B, and 36" for parliamentary and county results.
Ballot categories explained
| Category | What it means |
|---|---|
| Counted/undisputed | Ballots counted without objection; included in the result |
| Disputed | Ballots with objections being resolved; status may change |
| Rejected—objected to | Ballots rejected and the rejection is being objected to |
Reading and signing forms
When the Presiding Officer presents the results forms for signature: read every number before signing, verify it matches your own tally, sign legibly, and always get/keep a copy.
Do not sign a blank form. Do not sign a form you have not read. Do not sign a form where numbers do not add up. If you have concerns, state them clearly and have them recorded before signing.
When to escalate
Escalate immediately (not later) if: numbers do not add up, signatures are missing, the form is incomplete, the Presiding Officer refuses to provide a copy, or you witness procedural violations.
| Issue | Action |
|---|---|
| Numbers do not add up | Object immediately, have objection recorded, do not sign |
| Signatures missing | Refuse to sign until all required signatures are present |
| Form incomplete | Refuse to sign until form is complete |
| Copy refused | Escalate to constituency coordinator immediately |
| Procedural violation | Object clearly, have objection recorded, escalate if not resolved |
Practical do's
| Do | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Read every number before signing | Your signature is your verification |
| Verify numbers match your tally | Prevents errors going up the chain |
| Sign legibly | Ensures your signature can be identified |
| Always get/keep a copy | Your evidence if a dispute arises |
| Escalate immediately | Issues not raised on the spot are harder to contest later |
Source: ORPP Quick Guide for Party/Candidate Agents ( official guidance on agent roles and procedures), Polling Day Guidelines for Polling Agents ( practical day-of guidance on counting and form handling). These guidelines are IEBC-aligned and represent standard practice for Kenya elections. Procedures may be updated for future cycles; consult IEBC training materials for the most current protocols.
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